Criminal Investigation

The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is comprised of investigators working to solve crimes in various units: Persons and Property, Special Victims, Human Trafficking, Special Operations (Narcotics), and the Violent Crimes/ Gang Unit. Each unit has a sergeant who is in charge of several detectives. The division has one lieutenant and one captain who are responsible for the entire division.

Gang/ Violent Crimes Unit:

The gang unit falls under Sergeant Josh Light. This unit solely focuses on gang activity within the city. Their primary objective is to prevent dangerous crimes by investigating and arresting those individuals that represent a consistent threat to the community. They work to intervene before criminal action might occur. Click here for more information on our gang unit.

Persons/ Property Unit:

Crimes against persons are handled by this unit, which is led by Sergeant Mike Grusky. They consist of crimes such as robberies, assaults, gang-related crimes, and other crimes where the victim is a person. Examples of crimes against property consist of breaking and entering (residence or business), malicious damages, financial crimes, and thefts.

Special Victims Unit:

This unit investigates crimes of sexual and physical abuse where children are the victims, domestic violence cases, adult sexual assaults, and crimes against the elderly. Domestic violence cases frequently involve sexual assault and in most cases, the victim is a female, so cases of this nature require a detective with specialized training and a working knowledge of how to handle victims of this nature. Our department has expanded the number of detectives with these skills to better prepare these cases for prosecution. This unit is under the supervision of Sgt. Tom Meisenbach.

Special Operations Unit:

The vice/ narcotics detectives of this unit investigate crimes involving illegal drug violations. Investigations deal with violations that can be found in Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes, which involve illegal drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and other controlled substances. These investigations can include those drugs that are legal to possess but have been obtained illegally, such as Oxycodone or Valium.

Victims Assistance Unit:

We have a Victims' Assistance Unit. This consists of a director, Staci Harris, one part-time employee, and a trained volunteer staff. Their function is to assist victims in navigating the criminal justice system and provide direction to community-based partners for victims to access. Personnel are trained to assist in victims' compensation when applicable.

Homeland Security and Terrorism:

The Burlington Police Department and other law enforcement agencies work to anticipate, detect, and deter threats to Burlington and to safeguard citizens and their freedoms, critical infrastructures, and property from acts of terrorism, natural disasters, and other emergencies. Anyone with information regarding suspected terrorism may contact the Burlington Police Department at (336) 229-3500. Additional information regarding current threats to Homeland Security and Terrorism are available at Homeland Security National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS).